Four Possible Paths Towards Freedom from Diabetes

By Robert L Brown | August 19, 2007

Research on type 1 and type 2 diabetes has brought forth many interesting developments over the past several decades. The causes of both conditions are now much more clearly understood and several real advances toward a diabetes cure have been made.

With so much exciting information on these advances, it is sad that only a few people know about it. What is important to note is that although there is no known cure (as yet) that will completely rid one of diabetes, there have been breakthroughs on how both types can be regulated and effectively treated. What’s more exciting is that type 1 diabetes researchers have discovered treatment methods that hold great promise in keeping the disease in check and tightly under control.

For one, pancreatic transplants have yielded great results for patients with type 1 diabetes. Some patients have broken free of the need for regular insulin injections. However, it is to be noted that in most cases, these patients still need to take immunosuppressive medications.

Another potential cure is the use of exogenous beta cells to treat diabetes. However, in most cases a side effect of the patient’s immune system attacking these cells has occurred causing the need for long term use of immunosuppressive medications. A similar method of tissue transplant to treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetes has been used involving stem cells. While this method has a lot of potential as a cure for diabetes, the problem of the immune system attacking transplanted cells also applies to stem cells.

Then, there is also the use of nanotechnology. With this new innovation, microscopic sensors are implanted into the body. These sensors routinely monitor the patient’s blood sugar levels and can inject insulin into the blood stream to control diabetes. A patient can eventually be free from the disease without having to resort to an operation or having to use long term medication. However, though nanotechnology is really a leap forward in terms of treating diabetes, much of it remains in the theoretical aspect. Scientists still have to make more research on the technology.

A fourth treatment for type 1 diabetes is the simultaneous use of pro-insulin peptides and anti-CD3 antibodies. This tandem has proven effective in reversing type 1 diabetes in animals. What is exciting is that the two therapeutic medicines were able to reverse type 1 diabetes for as long as a year or more. Plans are underway to test the effectivity of this treatment on humans.

With the use of pro-insulin peptides and anti-CD3 antibodies, the immune system is trained to tolerate beta cells transplanted in the pancreas. As a result, there is less possibility of the immune system attacking these cells.

As you can see, medical science and research has made plenty of headway in the treatment of diabetes. Although there is still a lot to do, you can be assured that an effective cure for diabetes would soon be underway.

Learn more about the up to date news about a potential cure for diabetes and tips on a natural cure for diabetes by clicking for more details.

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